Lipton’s Journal/January 25, 1955/257

Bob^[1] is the dishonest man who was sent out to come back with the truth. I am the honest man who was sent out to explore the lie. That is why each of us were immediately fascinated with the other, and why each of us have exciting lives. An exciting life is to be sent by one’s vocation across the extreme of one’s personality. Doing that, one crosses the spectrum of humanity and outlines the architecture of the world.

note

↑ A prominent Baltimore psychoanalyst and writer, Robert Lindner (1914 – 1956) became acquainted with Mailer after reading Lindner’s 1952 sharp critique of current psychoanalytic practice, Prescription for Rebellion (1952), published by Mailer’s publisher, Rinehart. The letter, which contained both praise and criticism for Lindner’s ideas, led to a close friendship over the next four years, including many visits and the sharing of work, including Lipton’s. See extended note on entry 56.

[1] A prominent Baltimore psychoanalyst and writer, Robert Lindner (1914 – 1956) became acquainted with Mailer after reading Lindner’s 1952 sharp critique of current psychoanalytic practice, Prescription for Rebellion (1952), published by Mailer’s publisher, Rinehart. The letter, which contained both praise and criticism for Lindner’s ideas, led to a close friendship over the next four years, including many visits and the sharing of work, including Lipton’s. See extended note on entry 56.

[1]